What happened to CRO?

[hallie]

I tried to call CRO yesterday using the 407-W-DISNEY line and I got Walt Disney Travel Company. :( Why is that? Please tell me that CRO isn't gone, I don't like dealing with the WDTC, there cancel policy and deposit policies is different.


Thanks!

[Gemm01]

I'm not sure but I think WDTC helps with overflow calls from CRO. I've gotten them before as well.

Jennie :rolleyes:

[BrianD]

WDTC does handle the overflow for CRO. I usually try to call in mid-afternoon or some time of day when there probably won't be as many people trying to call in. The CRO folks just seem to be more knowledgeable and have a better handle on things than WDTC, IMO.

[Poohbear123]

Happened to me too, so I did not pay by the date they gave me.(last Friday) so I can call AGAIN and get what I want!:rolleyes:

[GoldenOldie]

I hope everyone is aware that any WDTC agent can also book you a room only through CRO. All you have to do is ask for it. If they try to book you the famous "Basic Package" through WDTC, tell them you want a room only through CRO. They will do it although reluctantly.

WDTC agents can book through CRO but CRO can't book through WDTC. That's why you can't speak to a CRO CM to book a DC discount.

[Maleficent2]

WDTC agents can book through CRO but CRO can't book through WDTC. That's why you can't speak to a CRO CM to book a DC discount.

I could be mistaken but I have always booked thru CRO and gotten discounts either MKC or AP.



Mal

[connor69]

We also got wwtc. We told them we wanted room only..they tried all through the call to sell us a package. The person was getting lippy after I repeatedly said no to add ons-such as theme park tickets. When she went to key in the final seletion of date and hotel she asked a final time..and when I again said no ....SHE HUNG UP. All this after a 25 min call searching for times, dates hotels etc. i think she was mad!

I much prefer cro

[hopskip]

Does WDTC work on commission or something?

[ChiTownZee]

What exactly is the difference between the two? How are their policies different? Would the prices be the same? And which number is which?

[cinmell]

I have no faith in CRO b/c I have had several problems with CRO booking this trip. When we call to check on the reservation or make a request or to buy ap's, we have nothing but problems and wind up on the phone anywhere from 35-60 minutes (literally). I've been told several times that our reservation has been cancelled, afer being on hold for approx 20 minutes they come back and say they found it. I tried to purchase AP's from CRO, the agent had to look up information for the 2 questions I had (Put on hold each question), put me on hold before she took my credit card information, came back took the credit card information, put me on hold for 25 minutes then disconnected me! When I called back, I explained that another agent took my credit card information to purchase 2 AP's but was disconnected so I didn't know if the charge went through. I was then on hold for 25 minutes and when then the agent returned, she couldn't even tell me if the Ap's were charged. This resulted in a couple days delay of purchasing the AP's because the credit card company said it could take up to 48 hours for the charge to post and authorizations don't immediately show up so I had no way of telling if my order had been processed. I have found CRO to be less knowlegable than I would expect and not very quick. Also, we have paid for our WDW stay in full and CRO says this is in their system. However, I don't feel confident about CRO so we have requested that a confirmation be mailed to us, which we should receive without asking. We never received a confirmation. We have requested 2 and have not received them. It has been 3 and a half weeks since our first request.
Any time I have dealt with the travel company I have never had a problem. I will use them next time. Has anyone else had issues with CRO or feel that they don't know any answers to your questions or is it just me?

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Maleficent2


I could be mistaken but I have always booked thru CRO and gotten discounts either MKC or AP.

You aren't mistaken. CRO still books the AP discounts and used to handle the MKC ones. But the DC discounts are only through WDTC.

ChiTownZee:
There's a page on Deb's web site on the differences between WDTC & CRO. (http://wdwig.com/resort.htm) It should explain a lot.

[Poohbear123]

Well, I thought I had room only, but, when I got my Ressie Paper, it was "Walt Disney Travel Co." AND I was booking with the Disney Club rate for Nov.!:rolleyes: VERY CONFUSING:confused: :confused: So, I will wait till Fl. Residents Codes come out, and than I will use them!:o

[JudithM]

I just got off the phone with the Disney Club/Walt disnye Travel CM & am VERY FRUSTRATED. I was NOT able to book a ROOM ONLY - I don't need tickets & I don't want miniature golf or WWOS. Any suggestions?

[BrianD]

Originally posted by JudithM
I just got off the phone with the Disney Club/Walt disnye Travel CM & am VERY FRUSTRATED. I was NOT able to book a ROOM ONLY - I don't need tickets & I don't want miniature golf or WWOS. Any suggestions?

You are not paying anything extra for the WWOS/miniature golf tickets. They are part of the basic plan, which is esentially room-only, you are paying the same amount as a room only reservation through CRO. Also, with the Disney Club, you can only book a package, which is why you are offered the Basic Plan.

[Maleficent2]

GoldenOldie

I stand corrected.When did this all change???????/

Last trip June 2002 we had AP discount so DC discount was not as good. So this did not apply to our ressie.


I just made ressies today for Feb.and it was WDWT.Yuk

I do not like the deposit required or that everything is due 45 days out!


How does Dreams work? I have never used them but this might be an option.


Mal

[GoldenOldie]

Poohbear123:

When you book using a DC discount, your reservation will always be through WDTC. You have no choice in that.

JudithM:

Hang up and call again. You absolutely can book a CRO room only with a WDTC agent. If it makes you feel better to speak to a CRO agent, just ask to be transferred.

Malificent2:

It changed two years ago when DC began as the MKC was sacked. Is your Feb ressie a DC one? If it is, your deposit should only have been $100 and your balance would be due 21 days prior, not 45, and you can cancel with no fee up to 5 days prior to arrival.

[Maleficent2]

it is not DC because as she said the DC discounts are not yet out for Feb 2003.


I quess we must have had all AP discounts since the change.Because this has never been the case with one of our ressies.And we go every year at least once.



bummer

Mal

[hallie]

Update- I kept calling the CRO number and still kept getting the WDTC so I called the WDW-DINE # to see if they could help. I got a VERY nice CM, I told her that I was trying to reach CRO to make ressies for a resort but I kept getting the WDTC instead. She said that she was a part of CRO too and she would be happy to help me. She was really very helpful and got me a room at the All-Star Movies for my dates!!

I really like CRO so much better, the WDTC is always less friendly and not very helpful when I call them.

So if you have trouble getting in touch with CRO just call the Dining number and they will help you out! ;)

[StrwLady]

Every once and a while I will have trouble reaching CRO. I?ll get a funny signal. Not quiet a busy signal but almost like the lines out. So the first time this happened after trying for several hours I called the hotel we were planning to stay at and told the operator my problem contacting CRO and they transferred me. I have done that a few times when I got the strange signal.

[lindamg]

Since I live close by I am constantly calling for rooms for a night or two, and then calling back to change dates, and just generally annoying everyone around me as I change my mind frequently!!;)

I have noticed that just the past two months, I now always get WDTC when I call CRO. There does seem to be a much higher rate of them picking up phone calls lately. Like some of you, I don't like their policies. Now that I know it's not just me it's happening to, I'm going to stick to using the AP phone number from now on and see if that helps.

[Poohbear123]

I hope when I call with a "Code" for Fl. Residents, I will have no problem. That is what I used for the June trip. I guess my codes will come out in Sept. for Nov. Best of luck to all of you, I know how frustrating it is!:rolleyes:

[GoldenOldie]

FWIW: the AP phone number is answered in the same manner as 407-WDISNEY - by CRO. If the CRO lines are tied up, you will get WDTC answering the call.

The bottom line is there is no 100% sure way of getting CRO (or WDTC for that matter) 100% of the time. It's completely hit or miss. That's what makes it so frustrating.

[smjj]

We had booked 7 nights in two different resorts. We switched one resort for another and left the second asis. Well about a week later we got this check for our deposit returned to us for our second resort. They had "linked" the two reservations together. When I cancelled the first resort and rebooked to another, they also cancelled the second resort as well. I would not have know except they send our deposit back. When I called them back to straighten it out it took them several tries to finally "get it right". So be aware...smjj

[eeyore0062]

We have found the best time to call is Saturday or Sunday Mornings. I think many people must call during the week, when they are in Work mode, so it have been very easy to get through without being put on hold, or getting WDTC instead!

[JulesMom]

I don't like WDTC. I liked it when I always booked with CRO.

I would just used Dreams Unlimited. They get you the same prices and let them spend all the time on hold!

We used Dreams Unlimited for 3 trips--1 AP rate, 1 Amex discount code and 1 postcard code. They are great.

[Poohbear123]

Thanks for the info. I remember I called on a Sunday to make my June Ressies, so I will make a note of that!;) I guess I won't be using the Disney Club rate anymore, especially if its going to give me tickets to Sports Complex, I have NO reason to go there!:rolleyes: Oh, just thought of this: IF I MAKE A RESSIE THRU THE INTERNET(Disney Website) CAN I CHANGE IT TO A CODE LATER??

[TigrLvsPooh]

If you get the WDWTC when you call you can still book the AP rate with CRO .. they just have to switch over to a different screen on their computer. :D

A trick that sometimes works... if you get the automated service that says "please enter how many nights you wish to stay" (or something like that) just enter one night. Usually that won't go to WDWTC. ;)

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Poohbear123
...Oh, just thought of this: IF I MAKE A RESSIE THRU THE INTERNET(Disney Website) CAN I CHANGE IT TO A CODE LATER??
Yes you can but, and I know you won't be happy to hear this, your original online reservation will be handled by WDTC.

[Poohbear123]

Thanks, I am a little anxious to get my Ressies for Nov. I will just have to wait for the Fl. Resident Codes!;) Do NOT want to deal with WDTC!:rolleyes:

[angelaj]

When I call CRO, the first thing I ask the agent is "Are you CRO or the travel company?" They have always told me they can be whatever I want them to be, so I tell them I want them to be CRO and we proceed with the reservation.

I would never book through the travel company because you're locked into your ressie 40 days earlier than if you book through CRO.

[pajamommy]

This is why I use DU!!:D

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by angelaj
When I call CRO, the first thing I ask the agent is "Are you CRO or the travel company?" They have always told me they can be whatever I want them to be, so I tell them I want them to be CRO and we proceed with the reservation.
This goes right back to what I said in my original reply in this thread:

"I hope everyone is aware that any WDTC agent can also book you a room only through CRO. All you have to do is ask for it. "

Some agents are more accommodating in doing this than others so if you get one that doesn't want to do it, hang up and call again.